Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Trach is in

Just spoke with my mom. The trach is in successfully & they also took the opportunity to manually clear out some more of the fluid in his lungs. He was sedated for these procedures & so they don't expect much response out of him the remainder of the day. In spite of that, my mom said he did open his eyes for a little while!

Don't know if any of you saw previous comments from our good friend, a liver transplant coordinator & former ICU nurse, but she really helps us lay-folk understand the benefits of this procedure. It moves Brian closer to being able to communicate & off of so many sedatives since the tube he'd want to rip out of his throat (& did when he was in the hospital for life-threatening epiglottitis at the age of 3, really) has been taken out for him. It also helps build back up the lung muscles to help him breathe on his own, something a ventilator didn't. It also makes him able to move a bit more since with time he'll spend less time hooked up to a machine.

The CT scan was not until late this afternoon so my parents are still awaiting the results on that but all in all he's hanging in there well.

We're almost ready for Keeter Christmas...though my parents have like seven or eight live trees in & around their house (really), Brian's holding steady with two (assuming no one removed the beautiful white one he got early last week, yes that was a threat) in his room. He's also got a snowman & a great gift of a digital picture frame playing 1,000s of pictures of his most adorable (& only, at least for now, we'll know if he's got another or a 1st niece on the way in early January) nephew.

Just wait till that kid wakes up. I hope TNT has their A Christmas Story marathon running on Thursday. That, with some horribly out of tune Christmas carols from his sister, Myra, ought to make the holidays complete. I can see those eyebrows now... ;)

18 comments:

  1. Being Brian's little sister Leah or what he calls me "ROO" (dont ask cause I have no clue)I have to admit this has been pretty difficult for me. I am at constant wonder... why not me? or if I could just give away one of my arms, legs or whatever just to make this all go away. Unfortunately it just does not work that way! However, you know I missed a call today on my call list it read "BUBBA" my big brother. I found myself with a big smile on my lips and for a half of second thought WOW HAS THIS ALL BEEN ONE BIG NIGHTMARE? guess not! Im sure it was my parents anyways. So instead of taking advantage of that disappointment of it not being my BIG brother who called me! I decided to let it show me that I soon will get to pick up that phone and hear..."HEY DUM DUM"


    For we are saved by hope….
    Romans 8:24

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brian, I wanted you to know that Susan and I have been thinking about you every day and keeping you in our prayers. We are hoping for a speedy recovery for you.

    Kara and the Keeter family, please let us know if there is anything we can do to help out. Since we live right around the corner in Cary, we'd be more than happy to help out with anything you may need.

    Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers,
    Graham and Susan Fuller

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brian, Just wanted to wish you and your family a merry christmas. I have been reading the blog daily and I know Philip has come to see you but I wanted you to know that I am thinking of you too. Get better soon. We plan to come up and see you soon.

    Kelli Rosenfeld

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!! There is a great deal to be thankful for and I am very happy to know that the Keeter Christmas is occurring.

    Brian, you are making sooooo much progress even though at times it seems that things are going backwards. Stay strong in your mind, body and soul. You have a fantastic Family who is there by your side. Love you cousin and Merry Christmas. :)

    PS I know that the Keeter meter would be spiked at 100% not only for Brian but for the Family...(this was used back when Brian was playing basketball on NCSU).

    Love,
    David

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is such good news. I know everyone can't wait for Brian to start talking back to us. He's been patient enough and put up with some of us more than he ever would have. Now it's his turn!
    I hope the Keeter family has a great Christmas. I'm sorry that I won't be able to show off my singing skills again with the Christmas carols. See you soon, and Kara thanks again for keeping up with the blog.

    Sarah Davis

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad someone mentioned the Keeter meter...I've thought about it several times here lately. And, it definitely would be at 100% all the time!
    Love you Brian!
    Cindy Tyndall

    ReplyDelete
  7. Keet,
    I just wanted to write to you and your family and wish all of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I wont be near a computer for a few days, but you are still constantly in my thoughts and prayers. Glad to hear the Trach thing went well and hopefully your road to getting better is in the near future. Love you all!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brian,
    On this day before Christmas, I know how important this time is for you and your family. And what a blessing that you are here to celebrate Christmas again with your family - I know it is a huge blessing for them, too. As you "run your marathon" of recovery, may you also have a great sense of the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came as a baby but went to the Cross so that all you need is provided. Rest in Him.

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth , give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27

    These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

    You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    love, Sue Webb

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is Mark Guenther, I went to middle and high school with Brian and played rec basketball with him. I was saddened to hear of the accident but am believing with you for not just a recovery but a full recovery. Blessings to your family for Christmas and my prayers are with you all.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brian and family,

    You are in my thoughts and prayers this week and in the weeks and months to come. Your father was a great mentor and friend to me in my time at NC State. I wish you a full, speedy recovery, and for your family peace and hope this Christmas.

    Mike Brennan

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey Brian,

    Checking in on xmas eve! I know you're getting stronger each day and pressing.

    Love you Bro

    Shawn S

    ReplyDelete
  12. Merry Christmas to the entire Keeter family. Praying for lots of Christmas miracles. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers during this holiday season. Hope to see you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Merry Christmas to you Keeter family, my heart is so full thinking of the "Keeter Christmas." I won't disclose if Keeter made jokes to his friends about it! Ha. I'm so glad we are one step closer to him speaking, I've never realized how much I miss that voice.

    My prayers are a constant for my man and you! I can't wait to talk to him, and also provide some entertainment while doing my famous "Keeter" voice. Please tell him Ilove him, so many people are praying right now. God bless you.

    PS. Dum Dum, I know why he calls you Roo!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am glad someone brought back the "Keeter Meter" - that thing was great! I'm SURE it would be bursting right now and that if you remind Brian of it, you will likely get those raised eyebrows! I'm also so glad to hear that his room is all decorated with Christmas trees, snowmen, pictures of his family, etc. and that the Keeter Christmas is still going on.

    I received a Christmas card from a friend several years ago and it has never left the front of my refrigerator---it reads "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) I've always thought this to be one of the most powerful verses and I see it almost every day, whether it's just reading it or in reality. I have faith that Brian is going to rise above this - he has already come a long way in ten days. Brian - keep faith in yourself and everyone supporting you.
    Merry Christmas!
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  15. Keeter, I've been praying for you over this difficult time and it won't stop. Stay Strong Keeter Family. The "Keeter Meter" is indeed rockin' right now for you man!! Merry Christmas to the Keeter Family from J4 and the rest of the Morton Family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. We're all rooting and praying for you, Keeter. Big time.

    Merry Christmas and best wishes to the whole Keeter Family.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sean and I are thinking of you! You've made yet another big step in the right direction. Continue to get the rest that you so we can come see you soon. Thank you so much for the blog updates, it is so great to be connected to Brian the whole way on his road to recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't even know you, but I know why he calls you Roo!!! Merry Christmas. Sounds like things are really moving in a good direction. I hope to meet you all some day. Jamie, Kara's boss' sister.

    ReplyDelete